BYU Defeats Colorado State 41-23 in NCAAF Clash

What we said beforehand

The upcoming matchup between the Colorado State Rams and the BYU Cougars is set to take place at Canvas Stadium on September 20, 2026. Both teams enter the game with a perfect record of 2-0, making this contest particularly intriguing as they seek to maintain their unbeaten streaks. The Rams have shown some offensive prowess, averaging 30.4 points scored in their last five games, while the Cougars have been even more impressive, averaging 33.0 points during the same span.

In their recent outings, the Colorado State Rams have secured victories against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the Wyoming Cowboys, with scores of 58-24 and 35-13, respectively. However, prior to these wins, they faced a tough stretch, losing their last three games of the previous season. In contrast, BYU has been on a roll, winning their last two games against the Arizona Wildcats and Utah Tech Trailblazers, with scores of 28-17 and 63-7. Their only loss in the last ten games came against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, where they fell 34-7.

When considering home and away performance, the Rams have a home record of 3-3 in their last ten games, while their away record stands at 0-4. This season, they have managed to win both of their home games, which adds to their confidence. Conversely, BYU boasts a strong away record of 3-2 and an impressive home record of 5-0 in their last ten games, showcasing their ability to perform regardless of the venue.

In terms of individual performances, Colorado State's Hauss Hejny leads the team with 41 completions out of 63 attempts, totaling 539 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception. Mel Brown has been a standout in the rushing department, accumulating 228 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. Jackson Harper has also contributed significantly, recording 140 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions. For BYU, Bear Bachmeier has thrown for 415 yards, completing 32 of 46 passes with six touchdowns. LJ Martin has been effective on the ground, rushing for 152 yards on 27 carries, while Legend Glasker has made his mark with 139 receiving yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

The betting market reflects BYU as a strong favorite, with DraftKings listing them at -17.5 against the spread and a moneyline of -1000. Colorado State is priced at +650 on the moneyline, indicating that they are seen as significant underdogs. The total for the game is set at 54.5, suggesting that both teams are expected to put up a decent number of points.

Weather conditions for the game are forecasted to be relatively mild, with a temperature of 76°F and a 49% chance of precipitation. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 8 mph, which could have a minor impact on the passing game.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how Colorado State's offense, particularly Hejny's passing and Brown's rushing, will fare against BYU's defense, which has allowed an average of 21.0 points in their last ten games. Additionally, how BYU's potent offense, led by Bachmeier, will perform against a Colorado State defense that has struggled at times will be a key storyline. With both teams looking to assert their dominance early in the season, this matchup promises to deliver excitement and competitive football.